Trump Praises Melania's Documentary, Jokes About 'Two Stars' in Family

The First Lady's film 'Melania' had a strong box office debut, earning $7.04 million in its first weekend.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:34pm

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President Donald Trump praised First Lady Melania Trump's new documentary 'Melania' for its box office success, while joking about the challenges of having 'two stars' in one family. The film, backed by a $40 million deal and $35 million marketing campaign, shows glimpses of Melania's life in the weeks leading up to Trump's second inauguration in January 2025.

Why it matters

The release of Melania's documentary is part of her broader efforts to build her own media presence and brand, separate from her role as First Lady. The film's strong debut highlights her growing influence and popularity, even as her husband remains a polarizing political figure.

The details

The documentary 'Melania' premiered at the Kennedy Center on January 29 and was released globally on January 30. It earned $7.04 million in its opening weekend, leading President Trump to joke about the challenges of having 'two stars' in the family. Despite the strong debut, the film's box office has since dropped sharply, with a 62% decline in its third weekend.

  • The documentary 'Melania' premiered at the Kennedy Center on January 29, 2026.
  • The film was released globally on January 30, 2026.
  • President Trump made his comments about the film's success at a Board of Peace event in Washington, D.C. on February 21, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 46th President of the United States, who praised his wife Melania's documentary film.

Melania Trump

The First Lady of the United States, who produced and starred in the documentary film 'Melania'.

Muse Films

Melania Trump's new production company, which will continue producing lifestyle content for film and television.

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What they’re saying

“She has a very successful movie out right now, like number one. Can you believe this?”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (People)

“I always say there's not room in one family for two stars. I told her that we can't have two stars in one family... The theaters are all packed. Women, especially, they go back, and they see it two or three times, four times.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (People)

“I am deeply humbled to have been surrounded by an inspiring room of friends, family, and cultural iconoclasts at the White House last night. Each of these individuals brought their unique vision to the world, making a lasting impression. Our personal stories endure time and serve as a reminder of our mutual obligation to one another. It was an honor to present my new film, MELANIA, ahead of its global launch.”

— Melania Trump, First Lady of the United States (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The documentary's box office performance will continue to be monitored, as Melania Trump's production company Muse Films plans to expand its focus on lifestyle content across film and television.

The takeaway

Melania Trump's documentary film 'Melania' has generated significant interest and box office success, highlighting her growing media presence and influence separate from her role as First Lady. This reflects her efforts to build her own brand and legacy, even as her husband remains a polarizing political figure.